In a significant breakthrough, two men from London have become the fifteenth and sixteenth members of a money laundering network to be convicted, following an extensive investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). The investigation focused on the smuggling of cash from the UK to the UAE, with more than £104 million laundered during 83 separate trips between November 2019 and October 2020.
Ali Al-Nawab, 40, from Golders Green, London, and Mehdi Amrollahbibiyouki, 41, from Finchley, London, were found guilty on 11 January after a three-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court. They were part of a criminal network overseen by ringleader Abdullah Alfalasi, 48, who was previously sentenced to more than nine years in jail in July 2022.
The NCA investigation revealed that Al-Nawab and Amrollahbibiyouki worked as cash couriers within the network. They were paid up to £5,000 for each trip and travelled on business class flights to take advantage of the extra luggage allowance. Communication between the couriers took place through various WhatsApp groups, including one titled “Sunshine and Lollipops.”
Amrollahbibiyouki, who was apprehended in April 2021, made three trips to Dubai in February and March 2020, transporting £4.3 million in 12 suitcases. Evidence from his phones also indicated his involvement in counting and packaging criminal cash totalling £11.1 million for eight trips made by couriers, including his own trips.
Al-Nawab, on the other hand, was arrested in May 2022 as he was leaving the UK to travel to Turkey. He made two journeys in March 2020, carrying nine suitcases containing £3.2 million.
The money laundering operation involved collecting cash from criminal groups across the UK, suspected to be the proceeds of drug dealing. The cash was then taken to counting houses, typically rented apartments in Central London. The funds were vacuum packed and divided into suitcases, each containing around £400,000 and weighing approximately 40 kilos. To avoid detection by Border Force detection dogs, the suitcases were sprayed with coffee or air fresheners.
Adrian Searle, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre in the NCA, emphasised the significance of targeting the financial aspect of organised crime. By pursuing the money and those involved in its laundering, law enforcement agencies can disrupt the criminal business model and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The convictions of Al-Nawab and Amrollahbibiyouki mark another step forward in dismantling this extensive money laundering network. The NCA’s investigation will continue until all individuals involved are brought before the courts and held responsible for their crimes.
The NCA’s efforts have been supported by Border Force and the UAE authorities. Several British couriers are currently under investigation in the UAE and are unable to leave until the inquiries conducted by UAE law enforcement are completed.
Both Al-Nawab and Amrollahbibiyouki are scheduled to be sentenced on 8 March at Isleworth Crown Court, along with the other convicted members of the network.
